It takes a whole lot of work for an author to write a book. It takes a village to publish and promote it.
By: Natalie Jacobsen
What other authors say is true: writing a book is the easiest part. Maintaining momentum, and getting readers both interested enough to pick it up, read it, then share it on top of everything else, is a whole other ball game. Here are 10 easy tips and ways for readers to engage with and support an author, beyond buying (and reading) their book(s)! The best part? Most of these take fewer than 5 minutes to complete!
1) Rate it
One of the easiest ways to support a book is to give it numbers. On the World Wide Web, the algorithm rules all. And the all-mighty algorithm feeds on engagement by users. It's searching for the next "hit" which is measured in numbers: numbers of searches, numbers of clicks, numbers of stars and ratings. The higher the rating count, the more likely the algorithm is going to recognize it as an interest to audiences, and push it higher to the top of search lists, recommend it more frequently, and ultimately lead to more sales.
Rating a book takes less than one minute. One minute to you, is a contribution that can turn the tides for an author!
2) Review it
While you're on the bookstore website to rate GHOST TRAIN or other books, consider adding a few words to accompany the stars you award it! Reviewing is an essential part of being a supportive reader, and helping other readers find their next book. Not all readers are the same, but sharing your perspective, thoughts, and takes on a book may resonate with another reader, or help them identify why they may (or may not) be interested in reading a particular book.
(Psst... reviewing a book also feeds the algorithm, and pushes it higher on search lists and generates more results!)
3) Post about it
If you're already part of the "Bookstagram" or "BookTok" networks on Instagram and TikTok, respectively, then you're already familiar with the potent power that posting about a book can have on social media. A single post about a book could go viral and help catapult an author and their work into overnight (if brief), fame, and help garner them attention and sales. Social Media is like a town square, where people gather to share news and recommendations; this modernized way of promotion via word-of-mouth remains one of the most effective ways an author can reach new readers. And if you're not on social media, fear not! There are creative ways you can post about and support an author, online or offline, too. Here are a few ways you can promote or talk about a book:
Have a blog? Consider doing one post a month or annually, dedicated to books you read, to help your own audiences know more about you. Even if you're into travel or sports, showing the types of books you read can capture new audiences, or round-out your online personality.
It's hard choosing just one book to talk about, I get it! And not everyone wants to talk full-time, online, about books they've read. One way to approach sharing about your reading is to do an end-of-year round-up of books you've read, to knock them all out at once.
Social media loves photos. Posts with images generally get higher engagement and catch attention of audiences faster. Show off a book you're reading with a photo of it, and where you're reading it, to generate both interest and FOMO. Bonus if you're reading a book where it takes place, or thematic to the book's subject matter!
If you're a teacher or someone known to be a reader among your network, don't be shy! Once a month, share a brief review of a book you read, and how it impacted you. Even if it's shared on LinkedIn or Facebook without a picture, people want to hear from you, and are likely to read through your opinion and perspective. That's why they're your friend, after all!
Not on social media? Try these ways:
Mention the book to a friend or family member during a phone call or in a letter when you catch-up.
Text someone a link to the book with your rating.
Tell your apartment board, or HOA about it, and have it get promoted in a community newsletter, in any central gathering place on a cork board, or purchased for their clubhouse library.
Submit a letter to the Editor of a newspaper, or recommend it to the newspaper's book reviewer.
4) Recommend it to a book club — and invite the author to speak!
Book clubs are a great way for readers to get introduced to new authors and their books, whether or not the book club formally chooses to read them together for a discussion. Putting a book in front of the group of people introduces it to a new network of people who may keep it in mind for next time they hear of a reader in their life looking for a book just like that.
If your book club does choose to read the book together, the author (especially if they're a debut or an Indie author), would love to know! Extend an invitation, and you never know, they may just be able to show up to the discussion, or send signed book plates to help commemorate the reading experience.
Part of a book club and want to read GHOST TRAIN? Reach out to me for sample discussion questions, or arrange a virtual visit during your club gathering: https://www.najacobsen.com/contact
5) Donate your copy (or a new one) to a Little Free Library
Finished reading GHOST TRAIN or another book, but don't have room to keep it around? Pass the book on to another reader to read and appreciate, too!
Little Free Libraries can be found throughout the United States in communities and neighborhoods. They often look like bird houses, and can have a number of books in them for people to take, "check out" (and return when done), or thumb through. A Little Free Library can sometimes be themed, whether for kids or cookbooks, holiday or seasonal themes, or spotlights of local or indie authors. Typically, Little Free Libraries offer an array of books — and space for people to leave one behind!
Next time if you see a Little Free Library, consider exchanging a book you have for one you don't. Your donation has a high likelihood of being picked up and inspiring the next reader, who may read and return it, or pass it on to someone else.
Word-of-mouth remains one of the most powerful marketing tools, and Little Free Libraries serve as a place for communities to have a conversation through books.
6) Request it at your local library
Believe it or not, newly-published books are not automatically carried by libraries. Libraries must also be told to carry a novel for its readers and community! In the U.S., as of 2024, there are over 35,000 libraries.
That's a lot of libraries. And while it takes only a couple of minutes to request a book be carried a library, that would still be years of work for the writer to do on their own. Surprise them by requesting their book (or books) at a number of libraries, whether local to you, or in your hometown, or your favorite place to visit. You can find a list here.
You might need to have a few details ready to submit to the library, like:
Title: GHOST TRAIN
Author: Natalie Jacobsen
Year Published: 2024
Publisher: Select Books
ISBN: 978-1-59079-564-4
These are more can typically be found at the Library of Congress catalogue, on a bookseller page like Amazon, or via a quick Google search.
7) Tell a local bookstore to carry it
You may already have a copy, but that doesn't mean you can't recommend a bookstore to carry copies! Many bookstores will have a website or social media platform where you can contact them with a short email or message that reads (you'll have to fill in the blanks as appropriate):
"Hello!
I'm a book reader and customer in the area, and I recently read BOOK TITLE by AUTHOR, and loved it so much that I recommend your store can carrying copies. Its genre is CATEGORY, and what I most enjoyed is SHORT DESCRIPTION. Other readers are sure to benefit because it's a well-written story that talks about WHAT. You can find more about it here: LINK.
Thank you, NAME."
Further, you can let the book store know that some authors (like me!) are willing to sign and send Book Plates to them so they can sell the books as signed copies. That might be an incentive that encourages them to reach out to the author and stock their books!
Don't have time to send an email? I get it! Next time you stop by your local bookstore, simply tell the manager or book seller about it, or offer to write the title on a sticky note for them to look up later.
8) Let a local organization know about it
Bookstores and libraries aren't the only place that can support or uplift an author and their work. If the author writes nonfiction, there is a strong possibility there is a charity or a company that exists in the same niche of which they're writing about — and would love to do a cross-promotional event. If it's a thematic book, or takes place in a particular country, it could be highlighted in coordination with a local group that represents the subject.
Promoting a book isn't just about sales: it's about community.
I am fortunate in my community building: as a member of a local Haiku Writing group, a member and organizer heard about GHOST TRAIN, my debut novel set in 1877 Kyoto, and recommended that I reach out to organizers at Washington, DC's local Japanese cultural group, Japan-America Society of Washington DC. I was invited to speak at some of their events, one of which was at the Japanese Embassy — and from there, I have been invited to attend more events, and now am in the planning stages of recurring activities and engagements.
If an author you love or support has a book centered around a holiday, a particular city or place, or another thematic element that helps it stand out, make a way to celebrate it and tie in its real-life subject matter or counterpart, and introduce it to others who may be interested, too!
9) Tell an Influencer, or offer to co-host a Giveaway
One way to generate hype and promote a book these days is done through social media. And if an author has limited marketing assistance from their publisher (or is self-publishing and has no team), then they tend to rely on their social media networks to help spread the word during and following a book's release.
Now, an author's own network of family and friends is a great starting point, but if their network doesn't already include large accounts who are known to talk about books, breaking beyond their inner circle is an uphill battle.
Authors can message or pitch Influencers on Instagram or TikTok in the hopes of garnering interest and support for their works, which could turn into posts and promotion that expand the author's network. But, some Influencers might need to be convinced by other readers that a book is worth it: leaving comments, or pitching an author or their work on their behalf can help! Here's a sample comment you can leave:
"Hey, @NAME! Since I saw you liked reading TITLE, I think you should give THIS TITLE a chance -- it's right up your alley, and it was a 5* read for me. The author is @NAME!"
And if you have an active social media platform that talks about books, consider hosting a Giveaway or other related contest of your own to help gain new followers for the author and eyes on their book. Want to know how to arrange a Giveaway? Read this great blog post here.
10) Nominate their book (or other works) for an award
Getting recognized for their work is an author or writer's dream. Awards don't just magically happen or materialize out of thin air — someone needs to nominate them. Usually, the author or publisher takes care of these, but the costs add up, when each nomination is $50, $75, or even $100+.
Sponsoring an award nomination can help the author's wallet, and shows a gesture of support that will appreciate even more.
In some cases, the author or publisher must be the ones to submit the work. So, while your nomination might "spoil" the surprise, tuck a check into a nice card, or send them a VenMo with a caption that names the award you'd like the donation to go toward. It'll make their entire year!
11) Bonus: sign up to an author's Newsletter!
Most authors have a website or social media channel. Other run a blog or rely on conventions to meet readers. Some will make appearances on shows or be interviewed, but almost all authors will have a Newsletter. A Newsletter doesn't need the algorithm, and doesn't need to follow social media trends or be flashy or help push sales.
A Newsletter is a space for an author to authentically, and directly, interact with a reader, offer a peek into their writing process, updates with any news, or be about anything of their choice -- because Newsletters are truly the one space they can control and make their own. Authors usually offer exclusive first-looks at covers, snippets from upcoming releases, recommendations for other authors, and other goodies.
How does this help an author? It creates readership and community for the author. Writing can often be a lonely process, but knowing a dedicated group is keen to follow their updates offers a type of motivation rarely found elsewhere. It also can be the starting place for hyping an upcoming release, garnering votes for an award, messages that can be forwarded to book clubs, and more eyes on articles, blogs, and interviews. How do you find an author's Newsletter? There will typically be a place to subscribe to it directly on their website, or a link will be listed on their social media bio section. To subscribe to my newsletter, you can do so right here: https://www.najacobsen.com/newsletter-subscribe